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New leader chosen for Lake County Board
Updated: December 7, 2012 7:27PM
A changing of the guard at the Lake County Board on Monday included the swearing in of five new members and the elevation of 30-year-old board member Aaron Lawlor of Vernon Hills to the chairman’s post.
“I want to thank you for your support and vote of confidence. I am so grateful to lead this body,” Lawlor said after the unanimous voice vote.
Lawlor added that his rise to chairman came after meeting privately with members to discuss the future direction of the board.
“Over the few several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to sit in many of your living rooms (and) at coffee shops and other places to hear about what your priorities are,” he said. “We talked a lot about new ideas and ways to improve the issues that the board’s already working on. Those were not passing thoughts. Those are now policy decisions for this board to evaluate.”
Among those policy priorities, Lawlor said, are “pursing the extension of Route 53 vigorously” and delivering services “in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.”
Lawlor replaces board member David Stolman of Buffalo Grove, who was elected chairman in December 2010, a move that came with the recommendation of outgoing chair Suzi Schmidt.
On Monday, board Member Ann Maine of Lincolnshire put Lawlor’s name in for the chair, saying, “He has consistently demonstrated a high level of personal integrity, the ability to bring people together to solve problems, and strategic thinking that is so often missing in today’s world.
“It is (the) strategic thinking that sets Aaron apart,” Maine said.
“It’s an honor to serve as your chairman, and I couldn’t do this without you,” Lawlor said.
Carol Calabresa of Libertyville was elected to succeed Maine as vice-chair. Sworn in for inaugural terms along with Sauer were Sandra Hart of Lake Bluff (District 13), Steven Mandel of Highland Park (District 11), Mike Rummel of Lake Forest (District 12) and Tom Weber of Lake Villa (District 3).~.
